Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Need suggestions for a compact ornamental tree., 1 by Noreaster

Noreaster wrote:
I have a very small sliver of sun in my mostly shady yard that I would really like to put a small, decorative tree...probably an evergreen one. There is a tree growing there now that I'd remove, and that's where the new tree would go. Here is the catch: Like a lot of New England, we have a LOT of rcok ledge in the yard. I've landscaped around a lot of it that is exposed, but I don't know how much of it there is buried that I can't see. Possibly a lot, given the peculiar terrain of our yard. So, I do not know how deep a hole I can get in this particular spot before hitting solid ledge. I took a green wire plant support stake and poked it into the ground...seemed to hit rock at about ten inches, but without digging I don't know if those are loose rocks or solid. I know nothing about trees or what they require ...we have trees in the yard growing on ledge, but of course they all started from acorns or whatever. I'm not that patient, lol. So, given those conditions, is the possibilty of ledge a dealbreaker for planting something pretty like a little dwarf cypress? I'm open to any other suggestions and advice. I'm looking for something smaller than the tree that is there now- so maybe a couple feet wide by 2-4 feet high? Here is a pic. That little pine looking tree is the one I want to replace. It seems to be growing right up against the rock. I'm kind of trying a little half hearted mini rock garden thing next to it..just trying to take advantage of the little areas of sun that I have, I guess. The area is only shaded in the morning (sun rises from the other side of that rock), and then gets what I would consider full sun for the rest of the day (the areas to the immediate left and right of it are in shade, as you can see.)